He noticed that his shoe seamed to be filled
with sand, so he removed it and began to empty the sand upon
the earth. There was one small grain of sand that glistened as
it
picked up the rays of light floating from the sun above. He
picked up this grain of sand to look at it closely and as he touched
it he could feel within him a message that was carried within
this small piece of sand since the beginning of time. Grandsand,
as he wanted be called to give himself importance, was about
to
speak about the opportunities that every piece of sand has
as it moves through its journey upon mother earth. Grandsand began
to share that he was the product of something much greater
than
self. He had come from a rock much larger and that he now had
to chose what he was going to do. "If I so chose I could
be made into a piece of glass to offer protection from the elements
to mankind, but to so I would have to give up my identity and
join forces with many other grains of sand that too would choose
to do the same. I could Chose to irritate an oyster so that he
would shield himself from me by making me more beautiful as a
pearl formed around me. To do so, I would still be a single grain
of sand but I would have lost my identity and would be nothing
more than a tiny speck of sand at the center of the true beauty.
I could choose to be mixed with cement so that I might become
part of a great skyscraper, but once again I would no longer have
my independence and I would loose my identity. I could also choose
to be made into an integrated circuit from which mankind could
enhance his learning but to do so I would loose my one true identity
as a piece of sand. I'm an unique piece of sand. I'm not like
all the rest. You notice how the sun light was caught by my unique
qualities. That is the reason that you picked me up. Surely you
can see why I must not lose my identity. I'm not like other pieces
of sand. I'm very special and it is for this reason that I want
to keep my separate identity." As the gardener contemplated
what Grandsand was saying he realized that the piece of sand was
not seeing the entire picture. He told Grandson that if he continued
to take this approach he was never going to be anything as he
wasted away eternity trying to decided what he wanted to do. He
told Grandsand that as a singular grain of sand he really had
very little ability to accomplish anything. That it was only through
making the decision to give up his identity and become part of
something of value that he could add any value to his own being.
It was only by becoming part of something greater than self that
he would be able to have the ability to accomplish anything. Grandsand
looked at him and gleamed with a smile and said "But I have
made a decision and I have become a very important part of something
greater than myself. For in making the decision to stay here in
this thicket I have become part of the soil that provides a vehicle
for plants in which to grow. Not only has this given me the opportunity
to be a part of something much greater than self it has also given
me the opportunity to share my story with you. As I see someone
very special with whom I can share my story I am given the greatest
opportunity of all to share my uniqueness and at the same time
provide a vehicle for nourishment for many living things. I ask
you what greater goal can I have to accomplish? It was only when
you began to look beyond your own desires to change this thicket
that you gave me the opportunity to share one more small truth
that can change mankind's perceptions of his environment. In all
of us, we have ways in which we need to become part of something
greater than self, but as we search for our own uniqueness we
are given opportunities to share in ways which will improve mankind.
It is now up to you to look for yours and begin to find those
who are worth trying to change just as I have done with you." The
gardener realized that he had been pulled into finding another
small bit of truth as he had begun to think that he was superior
to mother earth. He realized that it is not enough to become
part of something greater than self but that to retain a part
of his
uniqueness as he did this was to begin to truly find his mission
in life at the same time that he had begun to come in touch
with his creative forces. As he released this one small grain
of sand,
the realization had not yet set in that he was only beginning
his journey.
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